GREEN: The International Hotel will turn green again this March to celebrate St Patrick's Day. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

By Michelle Crean

Plans for Killarney's St Patrick’s Day parade this March have yet again become a casualty of the COVID crisis with organisers this week saying that it's being shelved for the second year in a row.

Disappointed organisers from Killarney St Patrick’s Festival said that the colourful cultural spectacle - which brings thousands of people and a huge economic boost to the town - won't be going ahead for obvious safety reasons - but plan to mark the day in a very special way by turning the town green - a message they say they will relay to people all over the world in a virtual format.

Businesses are being asked to take part in the Killarney Goes Green initiative to bring some colour to the town and the greening of the town’s iconic buildings, a signature part of the festival in recent years and now an annual tradition, will continue this year with the spotlight falling on landmarks like Ross Castle, St Mary’s Cathedral, the Franciscan Friary, St Mary’s Church of Ireland, Killarney Methodist Church and Killarney Courthouse.

There will also be prizes for the best greened building and the best dressed shop window.

“We hope and pray that all things being well, we will be back next year with a celebration of St Patrick’s Day like there has never been before and we trust everybody will want to be a part of that celebration,” Paul Sherry, St Patrick’s Festival Chairman, said.

“We hope the town’s business community will again join us by taking part in the Killarney Goes Green initiative for St Patrick’s Day and we invite everybody to shine the green light on their buildings, dress the shop windows and send us images or videos of their efforts,” Paul Sherry said.

“Let’s show the world that, despite the huge challenges, Killarney’s glass will always be more than half full and we promise it will be the place to be for St Patrick’s Day 2022,” he added.

The Killarney St Patrick’s Festival thanked its partners and sponsors Kerry County Council, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, Fáilte Ireland and the business community of Killarney for their support and enthusiasm.

Those who would like to visit Killarney next year to be a part of the festival are invited to get in touch through the festival website www.stpatricksfestivalkillarney.ie.